The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 24, 1901. GOVERNMENT LAND POLICY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 165, 24 July 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, JULY 24, 1901. GOVERNMENT LAND POLICY.

A careful perusal of reports from 1 different parts of tlio colony point to the fact that the Land for Settlements Act has many difficulties, aud unless these defects can be got over they art likely to undermine what would otherwise bo very beneficial legislation. Shortly stated, the system adopted by the Government is as follows : A block of laud is purchased in what is considered a suitable locality, whore thoro is believed to be a demand for closer settlement ; a price is arrived at with the holder, the land is surveyed, and roads, if necessary, laid out; tho usual reserves for educational and other purposes are made, and the balanco of the land is carefully cut up into allotments and valued on a basis which will bring in a bare live per I cent on the total outlay. Sometimes there is heavy expense incurred beforo the land can bo occupied, aud tliis is added to tho capital value. The rent, being put, down at the lowest price which it will return interest to the Government on tho amount expended, it stands to reason that any reduction made to the tenant must be at the cost of the taxpayers of tho colony as a whole. This is what the Government has to face in the matter of the Willows sections and many other like properties throughout tho colony. It is an unfortunate feature in these matters that so many persons turn up at the ballot for sections who have not the capital, knowledge, or physical strength to earn their living by working the land, and what is worse in many cases they keep the better class of settlers out. Often the allotments are too small to enable the holder to get a living off them, and this in many cases leads to dummyism, a person putting in scores of applications in the names of the members of his family- so that he might stand a chance of securing the section adjoining his own. Tho remedy is to be sought in the direction of securing : only those men as selectors who are ( likely to make successful tenants. . The Cepartmont should make careful ; enquiry as to a man’s litness for agri- ] cultural work before accepting him as a tenant- and we feel sure that i if this were done wo should not have nearly as many failures as at present. It is also clear that too often tho Go- , vernment pay too much for the land. There can be no doubt that the j tenants are charged too much rent for

then - sections in this district, but viewing the circumstances under which the land was secured we cannot see how the Government can afford to reduce the rents. They can only do so at the expense of the taxpayers of the colony as a whole, and we do not think that their action would meet with general approval. Persons who have made a bad bargain will have to abide by it, or else give way to someone else who [may care to take the holding at the price which it has cost i the Government. The latter are depending on the rents of these sections ' for the payment of interest on the loan raised for the purpose of purchasing these blocks, and unless they can show that there is a profit over and above the charge for interest, it is difficult to see how a reduction in the rent can. reasonably be expected.

Mr C. A. DeLautour lias .11700 awaiting investment. Messrs C. Rosie and Co. have a change of advertisement in this issue. A meeting of the Kaiti Public Hall shareholders will bo held this evening in the Catholic schoolroom, Lowe street. The annual meeting of 'Wliataupoko ratepayers will be held on Monday evening next. Captain Edwin wired at 11.42 a.m. yesterday : —“ South to south-west and wost gale ; glass rise ; tides moderate ; indications rain.” Messrs Currie and Hogan, of Makaraka, offer a reward for the recovery of a bay gelding. A warning is given to anyone detaining the same. Carpenters and others are reminded that Messrs A. Parnell and Company havo just received a largo shipment of trado requisites. The Borough Council sat until 10.30 last night. There was still the health report to deal with, but that was loft over until next meeting.

Messrs Williams and Kettle havo a good entry of stock for their next sale at the Matawliero yards to-morrow. Attention is directed to the firm’s advertisement, which appears in another column. Messrs Dalgcty and Co. are likely to be the next addition.to commercial circles in this district. Several Auckland business houses arc also likely to open branches in Gisborne at an early date. Tho annual meeting of the Gisborne Bowling Club will he held this evening. Several matters of importance will be dealt with, and it is hoped that there will bo a largo attendance. The increase of the business of Mr H. It. Smith, watchmaker, has made it necessary for that gentleman to engage another assistant. The gentleman engaged by Mr Smith has had a firrt-class experience in tho trade, and should bo a great help in the business. Tho Natives’ Association Ball is to ho held in tho Theatre Royal to-morrow evening, and promises to bo a great success. The committee havo decided to admit spectators to tho gallery on payment of half-a-crown. Tho catering for the hall is in the hands of Mr J. Craig, who is preparing an excellent repast. At a mooting of the Orchestral Society held recently, Mr G. Palairet was unanimously elected to the post of conductor, tho position held hitherto by the late Mr W. Manx Tho Society is fortunate in securing a musician of Mr Palairet’s experience to carry on the practices, and we understand the strength of tho Society will ho considerably augmented by the inclusion of fresh performing members. Practice will bo resumed this evening.